28 December 2013

Beckett Taylor is a
murderer. His calling, his craft are destruction and
intimidation—whether he wants it that way now or not. He left
Poughkeepsie to keep his brothers safe, to keep Eve safe. Set up with
happy lives to live, they’re better off without him, right?

But
all his willpower crumbles when he hears his brother Blake’s frantic
voice on the phone. An unknown enemy has moved in on his old territory,
and Livia’s been taken. In an instant, Beckett knows it will take an
attack only he and Eve can execute to bring her back. All his
self-imposed embargoes are torn to shreds, perhaps along with the new
man he’s struggled to become.

“Brother, call Eve. I’ll be there soon.”

In
this emotional and action-packed sequel to Poughkeepsie, Debra
Anastasia conjures a tale of love at its most raw and ragged. With
Beckett and Eve, how could we expect anything less? But even when it’s
messy, not magical, true love perseveres. Real love finds a way—for
better or for worse until death does part.

Suffice to say, I could not wait to get my hands on this
book.Since I found out that there was
going to be a follow up to the beauty that was Poughkeepsie, I have been
silently stalking Debra Anastasia on Facebook.
Ok, perhaps it wasn’t all that silent.Restraining orders aside, this book was every bit as wonderful as I
expected it to be.It kept the wit and
beauty of Poughkeepsie and added to it.It was one of those books where as I was approaching the end, I started
to read slower.I did not want it to
end.

This book starts with Beckett.It’s a year after the events in Poughkeepsie
and he has left in order to save himself and as he views it, his brothers.But, he’s still haunted by Eve.He goes to see her and promises her that he
will be a better man and will love her the way she deserves.Flash forward 5 years later.Beckett has been trying to change his life,
be worthy of his family and Eve, when he gets a phone call from Blake.Livia has been taken, by people who are
Beckett’s enemies. He and Eve must work together to get her back, putting their
lives and the lives of everyone they care about in jeopardy.Old enemies and new descend upon
Poughkeepsie.Will everyone
survive?Will love triumph over evil?

This is a tense tale following our favorite characters, and
some new ones, of Poughkeepsie.Cole and
Kyle, Beckett and Eve, Blake and Livia…they’re all here.I was so excited to get wrapped up in the
lives of this group again, and it did not disappoint.This is one of the best love stories that I
have ever read.I always enjoy stories
outside the box, but I think it takes a lot of talent as an author to take
characters that are a bit scary, and basically murderous sociopaths, give them
a heart and make you love them.Beckett
and Eve are totally those characters.The love each other and those close to them so fiercely, you can’t help
but cheer them on, even when they do things are questionable morally.

It’s rare to find a book that has so much drama, humor, love
and action.I don’t know how Debra does
it, but she manages to do what few authors manage to do, and she does it
well.She tells a story full of nuances
that transports you to the place with the people the story is about.You feel for these characters; you hurt when
they hurt, you’re happy when they’re happy.That’s talent, and it was beautiful as a reader to be a part of.

As I said, I didn’t want this book to end.I’m guessing that there will be a third book
in this series, because this story is far from over.I am not above stalking to make this
happen.5 stars.

Debra Anastasia is busy, just like
every other mom. There's dinner, the dogs, the kids, and their
homework. The laundry pile turns into a big, heaping monster. When
the clothes finally make it into the washer, it gets unbalanced and
puts on an elaborate show before it cuts out. This crazy job that
never ends is her first love and her crowning achievement.Her writing started a decent
handful of years ago when along with the dogs, cat, kids, and
husband, the voices of characters started whispering stories in
Debra's ear. Insomnia was the gateway for the plots that wouldn't
give up, wouldn't let go. In the shower, a twist would take hold
and--dripping and frenzied--she'd find somewhere, anywhere to write
it down.Debra grew up in New York and got
a bachelor's degree in political science at SUNY New Paltz. At the
start of her marriage, she moved to southern Maryland with her
husband. She still doesn't trust crabs and all their legs, though
everyone else in her family thinks they're delicious. Her favorite
hobbies include knitting, painting furniture and wall murals, and
slapping clowns.Omnific Publishing published her
debut novel, #1 on Kindle Best Seller’s list, Crushed Seraphim, and
its sequel Bittersweet Seraphim about a cursing angel. They also
bravely published Poughkeepsie, which a romance about a homeless man
who counts the smiles of his dream girl.